ensure that the B.I.O.S. is configured to follow the correct boot sequence (read Appendix 3 below)

shutdown the computer and ensure that the computer is switched off

switch on the computer

When shutting down Puppy GNU/Linux for the first time one will be given the option to create a personal storage save file with the option of selecting its preferred location.

When the computer re-starts it should load (start) the operating system. If it does not load ensure to follow the instructions from Appendices 1, 2 and 3.

When running Puppy GNU/Linux from optical disc any additional software or data may be written to one's personal save file located on any partition. If such data is desired to be stored on the same optical disc from which one is running the operating system then one would need to create a special MultiSessionLiveDVD.

The downloaded container file must have the extension .iso. It is an exact copy, or image, of an existing file system. To ensure that the file is downloaded completely and without corruption use the wget command, e.g.:

wget -c /puppy-version-location/puppy-version.iso

(If wget is not used then one should verify its integrity by verifying its MD5 or SHA checksum). This ISO file may then be written to a optical disc using a particular software program. It is by booting up with this disc in the optical disc drive that one can run and use Puppy Linux.

For a computer to boot from a device such as an optical disc or a flash memory drive the device must be read/accessed before any other connected device such as a H.D.D.; therefore when, for example, an optical disc is in the optical disc drive at boot up it will load Puppy Linux from that drive only, and no where else, if the computer has been configured specifically to do that. If the computer does not start/boot from the live D.V.D. it will be necessary to either access a boot menu or the B.I.O.S. so that the computer is instructed to boot from the optical disc drive and not any other drive; re-starting will be necessary in conjunction with using the correct key(s) (see Appendix from here).

Being able to boot from a live D.V.D. also means that it itself may be used to boot the computer when it is not possible to do so with a flash memory drive or hard disk drive: the computer boots from the bootloader on the optical disc but loads the frugal save file (or operating system) from either the flash memory drive or hard disk drive.